Gavin,

I've brought this one up a couple of times over the years, but you
will always find a theory like this can be smashed when taking a more
deeper look through the archives. In fact without being to specific,
you've only got to look back at the years 1980, 1985, 1993 & 1996, all
these years had Novembers that were on the cold side yet the winters
following were far from mild. In fact, when I start looking a bit
closer at the last 25 years, it would appear that a cooler November
precedes a cooler winter.

So in summary, it just doesn't hold true. So all bets are up for
grabs.

Keith (Southend)

On Sun, 9 Nov 2003 19:42:43 -0000, "Gavin Staples"
wrote:

I love this one which someone put on the TWO forum. I have heard the part,
"If November ice can bear a duck" etc. But I haven't heard the rest until
now.
I know one thing. It is certainly true from my experiences.


"A good mild November with cold failing to impose itself bodes very well
indeed for a cold winter . '47 , '81/82 , '40 , '79 , '85 .... exceptionally
mild Novembers preceded 'em all !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"If November ice can bear a duck , there'll be nothing after but slush and
muck..........

..... But if November winde from west doth bring , the winter that follows
shallt be a magical thing "